Supporting mechanism for linemen.



PATENTED MAY 10, 1904. T. E. HALLETT. SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR LINEMEN.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 7, 1903.

N 0 MODEL.

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" 76 Tu tor'ney UNITED STATES Patented May 10', 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR LINEMEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 759,274, dated May 10, 1904.

Application filed October 7, 1903.

ing elevated positions.

One of the utilities of my invention is in connection with poles on which are mounted. junction-boxes, arc-lamps, or devices of like nature located in positions near the pole-tops.

The device is adapted to serve as a supporting means, rest, or seat whereby the lineman instead of having to cling to the pole while performing his duties is supported in proximity to the apparatus under inspection or adjustment and is enabled to freely use his hands.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is adapted to be permanently secured to a pole.

In -my improved device I employ means whereby the device may be adjusted to poles of varying diameter, so that all of the devices may be made alike and suited to the various poles. To this end I desirably make the device of a truss-like formation having a horizontally-disposed tension or rest member and a strut or compression member disposed obliquely to the aforesaid member. Said members are desirably pivotally or adjustably connected in order to permit the strut member to vary its angular relation with respect to the rest member. Said tension member is preferably anchored to the pole at a point opposite its pivotal connection with the strut, and

the free end of said strut is likewise rigidly secured to the pole, forming therewith and with the pole a triangular construction. The tension member is preferably in the form of a continuous band and is suiiieiently enlarged with respect to the pole to accommodate a lineman. WVith this arrangement and construction of the parts when the device is secured to a pole the strut member, because of its piv-v Serial No. 176,053. (No model.)

otal connection, is permitted to assume an inclination necessary to effect the triangular formation and maintain the tension or rest member in an approximately horizontal posi tion. To prevent said rest member from rocking should the weight of the lineman be sustained more on one side thereof than the other, I desirably provide means whereby said memher is rigidly secured to the pole laterally of its anchorage and preferably on both sides of its anchorage. Means are also provided whereby the occupant of the structure is enabled to maintain his balance while his hands are employed with the apparatus at the poletop. To this end I desirably locate pole-steps at opposite points on said pole a serviceable distance below the rest member, which affords a convenient balancing means or foot-rest.

I will describe my invention more particularly, with reference to the accompanying 7 drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof, in which- Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the device in position. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation showing the pivotal connection of the strut and rest member on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation showing means whereby the tension member is anchored to the pole. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different views.

A pole 1, such as a telephone-pole, is illustrated, on which is shown, by way of example, a j unction-box 2. The device embraces a tension or rest member, which is preferably constructed from a single strip of suitable material, as strap-iron, the free ends of which are desirably united, forming a continuous band 3. Said band is adapted to completely encircle the pole on which it is mounted and to project approximately at right angles therefrom. Said band 3 is preferably formed in the shape of an oval loop, the small end thereof closely embracing the pole 1, while the large end serves to form a projecting seat or back section. Said. loop is desirably enlarged with respect to the pole sufliciently to accom- 0 modate a lineman. I preferably locate said loop or hand 3 a slight distance below the apparatus to be reached, and said apparatus and the supporting device should desirably be located on one side of the pole. The free ends of said band 3 are preferably united at the small end of the loop by a lag-screw 4:, which constitutes the means whereby this end of the loop is anchored to the pole. I preferably unite the ends of said band by overlapping the same and passing said lag-screw 4: through registered apertures therein.

A strut member 5 is adapted to support the outer or projecting end of said loop member 3. In the preferred form of my device I secure one end of the strut 5 to the loop 3 by a pivotalor adjustable connection, while the remaining or free end of said strut is rigidly secured to the pole. The pivotal connection is desirably effected by bending one end of said strut 5 upon itself and forming thereon an eye, as shown in Fig. 5. Bearings 6 are provided on said loop 3 desirably opposite its point of anchorage to the pole. Said bearings are preferably constructed from strips of metal folded in the form of short loops, the free ends being permanently secured to the band 3, while the lower or loop portions encircle apivot-bolt 7, which pivotally unites said loop or band 3 to the strut 5. This pivotal connection permits the strut to be swung inwardly to a greater or less extent, thus permitting a horizontal disposition of the loop-or band member 3 irrespective of the diameter of the selected pole.

The lower end 8 of the strut 5 is preferably swaged or flattened and apertured to provide means for fasteningthe strut to the pole. It will be obvious that said swaged portion 8 bears an angular relation to the body of the strut 5. In practice 1 preferably weaken said part 8 by flattening the same sufficiently to permit said part to yield and adjust itself to the varying degrees of inclination to be assumed by the strut 5 without imperiling its strength in supporting the loop 3.

To prevent the loop 3 from rocking on its supporting-points should the weight of the lineman be thrown to one side thereof, I preferably provide supplemental anchoring means in the form of vertically-disposed straps 9, which, as shown, are riveted to said loop 3 and rigidly secured to the pole. It is also found desirable to locate pole-steps 10 a serviceable distance below the loop 3 to provide a foot-rest for the occupant.

It is obvious that changes may be readily made in the embodiment of my invention shown without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise construction illustrated; but,

Having thus described myinvention, Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following:

1. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a continuous band the ends thereof overlapping and being anchored to one side of the pole said band being enlarged with respect to the pole, a strut pivoted to said band on the other side of the pole opposite the anchorage of the band said strut being rigidly secured to the pole at its opposite end, means for preserving the horizontal position of said band and a pole-step located in serviceable proximity thereto, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a band enlarged with repect to the pole to accommodate a lineman within the same and anchored to said pole I on one side thereof, a strut pivoted to said band on the other side of the pole opposite the anchorage of the band to permit adjustment and a pole-step anchored to said pole, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a band enlarged with respect to the pole to accommodate a lineman within the same and anchored to said pole on one side thereof and a strut pivoted to said band on the other side of the pole opposite the anchorage of the band to permit adjust ment, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a band enlarged with respect to the pole to accommodate a lineman within the same and anchored to said pole on one side thereof, a strut secured to said band on the other side of the pole opposite the anchorage of the band and a pole-step anchored below said band, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a band enlarged with respect to the pole to accommodate a lineman within the same and anchored to said pole on one side thereof and a strut secured to said band on the other side of the pole opposite the anchorage of said band, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a band enlarged with respect to the pole to accommodate a lineman within the same and anchored to said pole on one side thereof, a strut secured to said band on the other side of the pole opposite the main anchorage of the band and supplemental anchorage means located laterally of said main anchorage, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a band enlarged with respect to the pole to accommodate alineman within the same and anchored to said pole on one side thereof, astrut adjustably secured to said band on the other side of the .pole opposite its anchorage and a pole-step located below said band, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a pole, of a supporting device comprising a band enlarged on one side thereof and a strut secured at one end to said band opposite its anchorage to the pole and at its other end to the pole, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 2d day of September, A. D. 1903. 5

THOMAS E. HALLETT.

Witnesses:

Grnonon L. CRAGG, CARL H. CRAWFORD. 

